• The latest bodyshell try mainly based as light that one may, every rubbish away from unwelcome material are removed
• The leading suspension supports had been relocated to offer wide track and you may much more castor
• Butt suspension system mounts was in fact strung to incorporate maximum grip, front and rear track is the same
• Bilstein suspension, 170lb front springs, 146lb single leaf rear springs
• The original vehicles becoming fitted which have alloy x package arches, fabricated inside-family on Gartrac

1981 – John Welch Escort Mk2

Gartrac brought trucks having John during the his rally get across field. So it Mk2 Escort was a duplicate of the car introduced having Martin Schanche previously, aside from the Ford engine which had a beneficial Chevrolet Vega cylinder lead with larger capacity and you will introduced specific three hundred BHP.

1981 – Rothmans Community Rally Cluster

Gartrac was created aware per year ahead of time one to Ford do feel taking out from industry rallying to concentrate on developing the newest Escort RS1700T. Dave Bignold is actually welcome so you can a meeting during the Boreham and you will is actually advised the fresh new functions Escort Mk2 rally creation was visiting an end.

Rothmans, the sponsors from Ford’s industry rally energy from inside the 1979, wanted to remain the involvement on sport and you can shaped brand new Rothmans business rally group that has been to run Escort Mk2’s for Hannu Mikkola and you may Ari Vatenen inside 1980. The newest people was to feel handled of the David Sutton which Gartrac had previously caused with their dealings with Ford buyers Clark & Simpson.

The team would be mainly based at the David Sutton Cars during the West London area and Gartrac is actually commissioned to continue creation of Escort Mk2 rally bodyshell’s and you may pieces towards truly work on globe rally cluster regarding 1980 and you may 1981 community rally seasons.

It was to prove a highly demanding months to have Gartrac. There’s a top return of bodyshells are brought at this some time Gartrac had to keep a couple totally prepared shell’s from inside the give while the back up so you can established manufacturing conditions.

mid-eighties – Audi Quattro

David Sutton along with his class gone away from Ford while the Escort Mk2 immediately following effective the new 1981 Globe Rally Tournament which have Ari Vatenan, whilst became obvious Ford wasn’t in a position to bring a competitive vehicles towards the 1982 year. His attract looked to protecting a package to run Audi Quattro’s from the Uk Rally Championship and later World Championship occurrences.

In early mid-eighties Gartrac caused David Sutton once again which have new Audi 80 Coupe and later brought three work Audi Quattro A2 bodyshells that have been delivered more out-of Ingolstadt from inside the Germany. Audi usually introduced all things in Germany, so this was some strange during the time.

Brand new Audi bodyshell’s was quite quick. Care had to be brought to make sure that all of the bracketry are absolutely proper therefore the move crate was fitting correctly getting biggest safety. The work had to speak to Italian language standards, and this Gartrac decided to Dornbirn elegant escorts go to great lengths to reach.

Whilst functions wedding got concluded that have Ford, it was an incredibly busy months having Gartrac helping most other producers such Audi, GM, Mitsubishi, Toyota and you will Austin Rover to name just a few.

Looking back, it is not easy to imagine exactly how all this try achieved because the Gartrac was still greatly employed in generating and you will supplying bits for consumer Escort’s and developing its tactics like the G3, G6 and you will G4 Mk3 Escort’s.

1980s – Gartrac G3 Rally Escort

Ford got finished creation of the latest Escort Mk2 and had unveiled brand new Mk3 which in practical form is front wheel drive, and therefore during the time wasn’t competitive to have rally fool around with. Gartrac decided to move the latest Mk3 to help you buttocks controls push and you can fool around with as many Mk2 bits that you could.